As we enter another new year, we
do so rejoicing with the wonderful truth that “if anyone is in Christ, he
is a NEW creation; the old has gone, the NEW has come” (2 Cor. 5:17). We have
just celebrated the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into the world when God
took upon Himself a human body and became a human being while remaining true
God. Even though the human mind cannot fully explain the mystery of the incarnation,
we know that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—that’s you
and me and every other person in the world. His birth in Bethlehem did not
save sinners but His death on the cross provided redemption, satisfied the
righteousness of God, and reconciled lost mankind to God. By believing the
Gospel (Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose the third day) lost
mankind is saved and restored into a NEW relationship with God. What a blessing
to enter 2008 knowing that we are part of that NEW creation! But an even greater
blessing is for us to have a part in bringing other sinners to a saving knowledge
of Christ. That is the first purpose in the Mission Statement of Grace Ministries
International. Thanks for joining our missionaries and their national colleagues
in sharing the Gospel. May we rejoice with the thousands who we trust will
be born again by the Spirit of God in 2008. – Sam Vinton, Jr.
- MK Wedding - Congratulations to Kaleb Kemper and Amber Befus who were united
in marriage in Belen, Costa Rica, on December 15. Kaleb is the son of Ken
(president of Grace Bible College) and Kathy Kemper. Amber’s parents are Chuck
and Joy Befus, missionaries in Costa Rica. Kaleb is a fourth year student
at Grace Bible College, and Amber graduated from GBC in May 2007. Pray for
this young couple as they continue their preparations to serve the Lord.
- Off to Uruguay - Please pray for safety as Aimee Johnson travels to Uruguay
on January 8, the Lord willing. Praise the Lord for His provision through
all His people who have made this possible.
- Theological Outreach in Southern Africa - Please pray for our mission/church
team as they work to accomplish the vision of seeing more than 1200 men and
women trainees in 2008 who will serve God in various capacities throughout
Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Angola. Training sessions for 17
of the top leaders with the gift of teaching has started in Malawi with Kennedy
Simtowe and Joel Molina teaching. Training sessions will also take place in
Zambia. Those who are trained will train others during the next 12 months
and the numbers will grow as discipleship takes on a new dimension. Please
pray for this effort.
- Costa Rica Grace Bible Institute - Jeremy Clark writes: “We praise
God for a wonderful closing dinner/graduation for the Bible Institute. Over
60 people were in attendance and three students were recognized for completing
various levels of studies. Please pray for us that we will attract students
outside our church to the Bible Institute in 2008.”
- Salvation in Tanzania - Praise the Lord for this wonderful report received
from Ted Rabenold. While the Rabenolds were in the States, a team of three
evangelists traveled in the Rukwa Valley showing the Jesus Film and conducting
open air meetings where 37 professed faith in Christ in the village of Tembo
and 21 in the village of Kilangawana. Monthly meetings have been started in
the homes of “willing unbelievers” in Kapenta (where the Rabenolds live).
PTL for seven people who have believed in Christ.
- Australia Update - PTL that in answer to prayer a new home meeting is beginning
in Hornsby, north of Sydney. Please pray for two ladies Jeneane is counseling
at present. One is an 18 year old and the other is an older lady with challenging
physical, financial, and emotional circumstances.
- Bolivia Update - PTL for the good report from Talo Vergara who writes:
“There are so many things for which to praise the Lord. In ministry, I’m in
the best time since I arrived in Bolivia. I am working with two churches doing
a discipleship course on Pastor MacDonald’s book ‘Understanding Your Bible’
and planning on many more courses and students. I’m very excited about the
work here.” Please continue to pray for Talo.
- Reroofing in Congo - Thanks to the gifts of many of you, metal roofing has
been purchased and flown to Kama. Two high schools have been reroofed with
five more buildings in the process of being repaired. Please continue to pray
for the completion of this project.
- Puerto Rico Camp - Jon Marshall
asks for prayer that the right people will be chosen to be part of the staff
of Campamento del Caribe and that in the meantime Jon is able to keep things
going well.
